Individual stories
Where there are people there are stories.
Here we share stories from individuals: our employees, the wonderful people we care for and their families – and those who live with us.
Oana Cojocaru's nursing story
Oana Cojocaru’s story Watch my short film and read my story: I work for Brunelcare as a Registered Nurse, in Saffron Gardens care home. My nursing career started in Romania, where I grew up and trained as a nurse, completing my nursing degree and working in a hospital; making diabetes my chosen specialism. My passion for nursing goes back to…
Amanda Brooks' reablement worker story
Amanda Brooks' story I work for Brunelcare as a Reablement Worker, in our South Gloucestershire Community Services team based in Kingswood, Bristol. Working in care was prompted by the need to change my career. My previous job as an ice-skating coach and trainer came to an end when Bristol closed its city centre ice rink. In my efforts to find…
Hilary's story
An elderly friend recently spent three weeks at Orchard Grove Reablement Centre following a hospital stay. From the first time I visited I was very impressed by the friendly professionalism of the staff. They quickly got to know her and provided support to enable her to get back on her feet and prepare to go home, with good liaison to…
Jo - Community Carer, Somerset
In my time in Brunelcare I never imagined saving someone's life.To be able to act quickly, and professionally, when a person depends on you to go above and beyond to save their life. It’s so rewarding to know that they survived and are able to be back in their own home so that they can continue living at home.It's not…
Story by family member Julie
I was able secure a room for my Mum in Brunelcare’s Saffron gardens care home after she was discharged from Bristol Royal Infirmary recovering from hip surgery after a fall, and sadly she also needed end of life care at this point. She spent the last week of her life in Saffron Gardens. The team at Saffron Gardens were immensely…
Story by family member Sheila
You were all so fantastic, caring, patient, encouraging, helpful, cheerful & friendly; in a way far beyond just duty. A big, big thank you so much. I haven't stopped singing praises to everyone I meet. So to all of you lovely people at Orchard Grove, just keep doing what you did for me. Reabling me to be myself. Lots of…
Tony, Waverley Gardens
My flat is beautiful and there is always lots of room for when my family come to visit. My flat is easy to get around and the staff are marvellous.
Chloe Cottle's community care story
Chloe Cottle's story I work as a Visitor Officer in Brunelcare’s South Gloucestershire Community Services team, based in Kingswood, Bristol. My specialist role involves working closely with our clients’ social workersand carrying out what we call our ‘meet and greet’ meetings each time we take on a new client for care. I complete a careful assessment of someone’s care needs…
Edwin Jose's nursing story
Edwin Jose’s story I am the Deputy Manager for Brunelcare’s Glastonbury care home. I qualified as a nurse in India in 2008 and worked as a cardiac ITU nurse in a hospital for nearly two years. It became my ambition to work in health care management and in 2010 I decided to move to the UK to complete a post…
Grace Kenway’s story
Grace Kenway discusses her role as a Home Maker at Brunelcare’s Deerhurst Care Home I have always wanted to look after people. Even as a child I was always looking for ways to help others. On the suggestion of a school teacher, I applied to join Brunelcare in 2013 as an Apprentice Care Assistant when I left school. Motivating factors…
Wojciech Jankowiak's care home carer story
Wojciech Jankowiak's story I work as a Unit Care Leader at Brunelcare’s Robinson House care home. I started at Robinson House as a Carer in 2016, then became a Senior Carer and have recently been promoted to Unit Care Leader. My role in the home is very similar to that of a nurse, in that I deal with medication and…
Joel Tano's nursing story
Joel Tano’s story I work for Brunelcare as a Registered Nurse, in Brunelcare's Robinson House care home. I’ve always taken great pride in being a nurse. My decision to become a nurse happened at University in the Philippines, where I come from. I originally set out to study engineering but soon realised that working with machines didn’t suit me. Instead,…